TRTC Applies for Employing Foreign Labor, the Council is Reviewing in accordance with BOT Proclamation

In regard to what published on newspaper that the Council of Labor Affairs changed its standpoint can approved TRTC’s application for introduction of foreign labor for important public works after announcing that foreign labor will not be employed for important public works, the council said that the introduction of foreign labor by TRTC was in accordance with the proclamation dated June 26, 2003 by the council. All qualifiers should be treated equally, not only specially stipulated for TRTC, all application procedures should be transacted according to the stipulations, there was no the so-called transfer of standpoint or intervention of some “powerful person”.

The Council of Labor Affairs further said that the proclamation Lao-jhih-wai-zih No. 0920205100 dated Jun 26, 2003 was established following the principle of belief and protection, important works that had been invited public bidding or signed contracts should not be influenced by the stipulation on ceasing the introduction of foreign labor for important public works in the proclamation Lao-jhih-wai-zih No. 0221648 dated May 10, 2001. Therefore, BOT construction projects approved by governmental institutions with the total project amount of over NT$200,000,000 and the project term of over 18 months (calendar days), whose project plan are in accordance with the Foreign Labor policy at the very time, if winning tender of BOT and the signing the BOT contract with the government before May 16, 2001, shall apply for foreign constructers for construction in accordance with the stipulations in the aforesaid proclamation.

TRTC signed the construction contract with Kaohsiung City Government on Jan. 12, 2001, in accordance with the stipulations in proclamation Lao-jhih-wai-zih No. 0920205100 dated June 26, 2003 that if BOT tender winner signing the BOT contract with the government before May 16, 2001, shall be allowed to apply for employment of foreign constructors for construction.

After reviewing on the construction contract and investment plan etc. submitted by TRTC on Sep. 24, 2003, it is approved that the total amount of the project is NT$ 135,263,788,000, the expected project term is 1,887 calendar days; the investment plan has considered the employment of foreign labor, which is in accordance with the conditions in proclamation Lao-jhih-wai-zih No. 0920205100 dated June 26, 2003, so the Council replied TRTC for the approval of the application for employment of foreign labor and the quota of people to be employed on Dec. 3, 2003.